When was 2 Thessalonians written?

THE SECOND EPISTLE. Silvanus, or Silas, being with Paul when this epistle was written, leads to the conclusion that it, as well as the First Epistle, was sent from Corinth during the eighteen months that Paul abode there, Acts 18:11; its date may be A.D. 52 or 53.

There is evidence in this epistle that the minds of the saints had been disturbed, apparently by a feigned letter or message from Paul, saying that the day of the Lord was present: this supposition may have been strengthened by the persecution they were passing through. Paul sets them right as to this. Christians often misinterpret this Second Epistle, and think that Paul was showing the Thessalonians that they were wrong in expecting the Lord. This mistake is made because the distinction is not seen between the Lord coming for His saints (which is the Christian's proper hope, and is intended to give them the character of a waiting people), and the day of the Lord which is connected with judgement: cf. Isa. 13:6-13; Joel 2; Amos 5:18-20. The Thessalonians were right in expecting the former, but were wrong in thinking that the day of the Lord was (not 'at hand,' but) 'present,' as 2 Thess. 2:2 should read, as may be seen by the translation of the same word (ἐνίστημι) in Rom. 8:38; 1 Cor. 3:22.

The second epistle to the Thessalonians begins with almost the same wording as the first epistle. Timothy and Silas/Silvanus who were the apostle's companions on his second missionary journey (51 to 54 AC) were with him now also. Paul refers to an earlier epistle (chap. 2:15). He reminds the Thessalonians of his habitual way of writing (chap. 3:17) and he mentions that he has received fresh news of some that walked among them (chap. 3:11). From these references one concludes that Paul wrote this second epistle after the first and probably still during his 18 month stay in Corinth in the year 52 AC (Acts 18:5-11).

Paul went further to Amphipolis, Apollonia, Thessalonica, Berea, Athens and Corinth. [1] Paul stayed in Corinth for 18 months and wrote the two Epistles to the Thessalonians in short succession around the year 52 AD. In these epistles Paul furnishes a profound treatment of the questions of the Thessalonian believers regarding the Christian hope.

This second Epistle to the Thessalonians was written at Corinth by the Apostle Paul and in the joint names of Silvanus and Timotheus. How long after the first epistle cannot be correctly ascertained. It was probably a year after they had received the first document.

53.-Second Epistle to the Thessalonians written. Paul leaves Corinth and sails to Ephesus (Acts 18:18-19).

Outward privilegeBut no approvalConversion of Paularound 36 AD?First Mission Journeyaround 46 – 49 AD“Council of the Apostles”around 50 ADSecond Mission Journeyaround 51 – 54 ADFirst Epistle to Thessaloniansaround 52 ADSecond Epistle to Thessaloniansaround 52 AD(Epistle to Galatians?)around 52 ADThird Mission Journeyaround 54 – 58 ADFirst Epistle to Corinthiansaround 57 ADSecond Epistle to Corinthiansaround 57 AD(Epistle to Galatians?)around 57/58 ADEpistle to Romansaround 58 ADImprisonment in Jerusalemaround 58 ADCaptivity in Caesareaaround 58 – 60 ADJourney to Romearound 60/61 ADCaptivity in Romearound 61 – 63 ADEpistle to Ephesiansaround 61/62 ADEpistle to Colossiansaround 61/62 ADEpistle to Philemonaround 61/62 ADEpistle to Philippiansaround 63 ADRelease of Paularound 63 ADFirst Epistle to Timothyaround 63/64 ADEpistle to Titusaround 63/64 ADSecond Captivity in Romearound 66 – 67 ADSecond Epistle to Timothyaround 66/67 ADPaul's Deatharound 67 AD?

I suppose so. The Epistle to the Thessalonians was written before this; and the second to the Thessalonians was written after Paul left Athens and went to Corinth.

Although his time with them was relatively short, having preached in the synagogue for just three Sabbaths, Paul had quickly developed a deep affection for the believers of the Thessalonian assembly. He knew by first-hand experience the character of the persecution they suffered from the Jews. While he was at Athens he sent Timothy and Silas back to Thessalonica (1 Thess.3:1-5) and, having moved on to Corinth, as soon as Timothy returned with news of the brethren, Paul wrote his first letter to them (Acts 18:5; 1 Thess.3:6).

Paul then remained in Corinth for 18 months (Acts 18:11) before returning to he “home base” in Antioch (v.22-23). In his subsequent travels there is no mention of Silas, so it is very likely that his second letter to the Thessalonians was also written while he was at Corinth—while Silas was still with him.

Between the dates of the two epistles to the Thessalonians there could have been an interval of no great duration, both having been written during the apostle's second missionary journey; for the tide of persecution, which had run so strong at Thessalonica, had not yet turned (2 Thess. 1:5-7); and Silvanus, or Silas, who was still with Paul (2 Thess. 1:1), is not mentioned as working in his company during any part of his third missionary tour.

Corinth, A.D. 53.